Bentley University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

If you were to take Bentley out of Waltham, the school dynamic wouldn’t change that much, and the city wouldn’t be upset for very long. There is a strange, yet often unspoken, love/hate relationship between Waltham and Bentley. Waltham loves to boast on its city Web sites how it has a rich academic tradition, yet it does little to nothing to encourage college students to want to become part of their community. Unlike other colleges in suburban cities, local Waltham businesses do not offer a student discount on things like food and school supplies to Bentley students. Many schools directly in Boston have a partnership with restaurants that enable students to use their meal plan outside the college cafeteria, but this is an unheard of concept here.

Bentley often exists in a world of its own. While students volunteer with local schools and homeless shelters, there isn’t much for students to gain from the city of Waltham besides its proximity to Boston. It is the lack of a relationship that often overcomes students and keeps them from exploring the city. By the time senior year rolls around and most everyone is 21 and has a car on campus, it becomes obvious what a great culture and community Waltham has to offer. However, by that time, it is too late for anyone to form a bond with the city that they just lived in for four years, as they look to move back home or find a job in another nearby city. The major thing to remember about Waltham is that it is an up-and-coming Boston suburb, and it deserves a chance to be recognized for what it’s worth.

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Students Speak Out

BenWC says: Bentley University 2014 Business

Living around Boston is the best... Living around Boston is the best place to be for a college student. There are more than 40 schools in the surrounding area, and we can access them all with public transportation. Living in Waltham is great because we are so close to Boston, but we have a nice suburb to hang out in, as well. Moody Street is the place to be in this town! 12345 Local Atmosphere: April 07, 2009 Report

BenCV says: Bentley University 2015 Business

The atmosphere in Waltham is... The atmosphere in Waltham is really great. It is very multicultural and has a lot of great restaurants with many different cuisines. Brandeis is nearby, but I do not interact at all with Brandeis students. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 30, 2009 Report

BenZA says: Bentley University 2014 Business

The Boston area is very refreshing... The Boston area is very refreshing and has a lot to offer, ranging from relaxing parks to great movie theaters. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 30, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

Brandeis is also in Waltham, but I... Brandeis is also in Waltham, but I have never been there to hang out, and when I go out locally, I almost never run into Brandeis students. I don’t think Waltham really has a college-town atmosphere, but Boston is just 10 minutes away. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Waltham is great; it’s close... Waltham is great; it’s close enough to Boston and Cambridge to make it an easy commute, and the shuttle makes it even easier. Brandeis is two miles away, so getting there for events is a piece of cake. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Waltham:
• Boston’s biggest hip hop radio station, JAMN 94.5, is headquartered in Waltham.
• If you do your grocery shopping at Shaw’s on Lexington Street in the winter, you may bump into some celebrities. Many Celtics players make their season home in Waltham.
• Check out www.walthamrocks.com. No, it’s not an ode to the city; rather, it’s the Web site of an ‘80s rock cover band who paid the ultimate tribute to the city by naming themselves “Waltham.”
• Waltham is called “Watch City” because the Waltham Watch Factory, founded in the 1850s, pioneered the mass production of watches.
• Waltham had one of the first licenses to broadcast as a commercial TV station in 1949, but the station was never built, and the license expired.

Famous People from Waltham:
F. Lee Bailey, famous attorney in the OJ Simpson trial

Local Slang:
(Local slang is not exclusive to Waltham; more appropriately, the local slang is used in the Boston area.)
Big Dig – Massive road construction project in Boston.
Bubbler – Water fountain.
Cool kid – Obnoxious, rude, and generally not wanted person.
Dunks – The coffee shop Dunkin’ Donuts.
Frappe – A milkshake anywhere else; it’s basically ice cream, milk, and chocolate syrup blended together.
Jimmies – Sprinkles.
Packy – A liquor store.

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